Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

18 hours ago

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

22 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

22 hours ago

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

22 hours ago

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

22 hours ago

Republicans Tee up House Vote on Trump Bill, Outcome Uncertain

22 hours ago

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

22 hours ago

Dalai Lama Says He Will Be Reincarnated, Trust Will Identify Successor

23 hours ago
R. Kelly Pleads Not Guilty to Sexually Abusing Women, Girls
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
August 2, 2019

Share

NEW YORK — R&B singer R. Kelly pleaded not guilty Friday to federal charges he sexually abused women and girls who attended his concerts.
The 52-year-old Kelly was denied bail in a New York City courtroom packed with his supporters.

Kelly is accused of using his fame to recruit young women and girls into having illegal sexual activity. Prosecutors say he isolated them from friends and family and demanded they call him “Daddy.”
He appeared sullen as prosecutors told Magistrate Judge Steven Tiscione he posed a flight risk and a danger to public safety.
Kelly’s defense attorneys requested his release so he could better fight charges they have dismissed as “groupie remorse.”
Kelly, whose full name is Robert Kelly, is accused of using his fame to recruit young women and girls into having illegal sexual activity. Prosecutors say he isolated them from friends and family and demanded they call him “Daddy.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Geddes said Kelly and his inner circle had a history of paying off and intimidating witnesses in past cases. She said witnesses were told “they had the option of choosing his side or the other side.”
“There’s a serious risk he’ll attempt to obstruct justice,” Geddes said.

Arraignment Attended by Two Girlfriends of Kelly

Friday’s hearing followed Kelly’s arrest last month in a separate Chicago case accusing him of engaging in child pornography.
Kelly is charged in New York with exploiting five victims, identified only as “Jane Does.” According to court papers, they include one he met at one of his concerts and another at a radio station where she was an intern.
Prosecutors allege Kelly arranged for some victims to meet him on the road for illegal sex. He had one victim travel in 2017 to a show on Long Island, New York, where he had unprotected sex with her without telling her “he had contracted an infectious venereal disease” in violation of New York law, they say.
Kelly’s attorneys said in court filings the alleged victims sought out Kelly’s attention, came to his shows and “pined to be with him.” Kelly “would spend his time and even become friends with and care about these groupies and fans who were dying to be with him,” they added.
The arraignment was attended by two girlfriends of Kelly, who declined to speak with reporters. His supporters also included a woman wearing a “Free R. Kelly” shirt and Des Alexander, a fan from Brooklyn who said she was confused by the case.
Alexander said she hopes Kelly is innocent but added, “If he did it, he deserves to go down.”
“I have daughters of my own,” she said.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

DON'T MISS

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

DON'T MISS

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

DON'T MISS

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

DON'T MISS

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

DON'T MISS

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

DON'T MISS

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

UP NEXT

The Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Story: From Recording Studio to Criminal Trial

UP NEXT

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Convicted on Prostitution Counts, but Cleared of More Serious Charges

UP NEXT

Jury Reaches Verdict on Some Counts at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial

UP NEXT

The Chainsmokers to Headline Dog Daze Festival at Chukchansi Park

UP NEXT

Shaver Lake and Reedley 4th of July Shows Are Wednesday. Who Else Is Celebrating?

UP NEXT

Jury in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial to Start Deliberating

UP NEXT

Fourth of July Celebrations Begin Saturday. Here’s Your Fresno Area Guide

UP NEXT

Anna Wintour to Step Down From Vogue Editor-in-Chief Role, Media Reports Say

UP NEXT

Bobby Sherman, Easygoing Teen Idol of the 1960s and ’70s, Dies at 81

UP NEXT

Metallica Thrashes On at Levi’s, Aging Gracefully With Its Fans

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

16 hours ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

16 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

16 hours ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

16 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

17 hours ago

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

17 hours ago

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

18 hours ago

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

18 hours ago

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

18 hours ago

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

19 hours ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

WASHINGTON – Republicans in the House of Representatives on Wednesday struggled to pass President Donald Trump’s massive tax-cut...

15 hours ago

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the press, as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 2, 2025. (Reuters/Annabelle Gordon)
15 hours ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

The Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County has rapidly expanded to 8,396 acres with no containment, prompting evacuation orders and warnings near New Cuyama. (CalFire)
15 hours ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

Andrew Biscay, 40, was arrested Friday, June 20, 2025, after deputies found him with a fake U.S. Marshal’s badge, homemade firearm, and law enforcement-style gear during a warrant arrest. (Madera County SO)
15 hours ago

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, a Madera County sheriff’s deputy was injured while trying to arrest a wanted felon, Felix Adrian Nucamendi Carrasco, 40, who later fled and was captured near Raymond Road. (Madera County SO)
16 hours ago

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

A wildfire dubbed the Madre Fire has burned over 3,300 acres near New Cuyama with 0% containment, officials said Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (CalFire)
16 hours ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

16 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

Jose Luna (left), 33, and Ralph Grajeda, 45, both of Visalia, have been sentenced for their roles in the 2020 shotgun killing of Robert Soto at a local motel. (Tulare County DA)
16 hours ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as "Main Justice," is seen behind the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters File)
17 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend